Program Reviews

I went on my first Global Volunteer trip this year to the Blackfeet Nation in Montana. I have Loved Montana for as long as I can remember. This was at least my fourth time there albeit a different location each time. I chose Global Volunteers due to the recommendation of a colleague who had gone elsewhere. She had nothing but praise for the organization and now I know why.
I have no problem travelling alone and I was excited to meet new people and to provide service to others again. Our team leader was very friendly, knowledgeable and flexible. He reiterated that we would only work in capacities and areas in which we had been invited by the local community. What I found was we were welcomed with open arms due to the strong reputation of the "Globals"! The people welcomed our labor but also eagerly engaged with us as newfound friends! We readily shared information about our families and culture. We got to experience immersion into the community as no tourist could! We were invited into homes and allowed to experience Indian traditions such as a sweat lodge, ranching and native dance.
Our work varied, but some of us went to the local nursing home to interact with and get to know some residents where some beautiful stories of early lives were shared with the volunteers. Other volunteers assisted in delivering meals to local residents and helping refill shelves at the food pantry. A few people helped repair fences and dug post holes, a very laborious task in this Montana soil! One afternoon I helped serve lunch to children at a private school and also assisted in organizing the Thrift Store.
I always felt safe and the accommodations were fine. The food was very good and we were always asked for input from our team leader regarding work projects and supper plans. I really enjoyed our team morning meetings and sharing our experiences. This team seemed like a good fit as we all were of the mind to serve others and keep an open mind to a new culture, along with learning about each other in the group. I'm not sure where I'll go next but I've already been reading about the Global Volunteers’ other sites. I have no hesitation about working with this organization again.

Being with these kids in Ecuador changes you. My 12 yo son came with me. What we learned from these amazing people who experienced poverty: that you feel joy, that you love your kids like crazy, that you have hopes & dreams for them, and they are attainable. We saw unending love and dignity there. The teachers at the daycare are angels. Our team worked hard during the day, then at night -over delicious homemade meals- we debriefed, we laughed, we compared all the connections we have between the cultures. The guidance of our leader Maggie- a rock star! We want to go back. My son remembers details about this special vacation, when all other 'beach' vacation memories have sadly merged together, unimportant. It was a such a profound experience.

The people of Nepal were simply just lovely & the kids were super excited to have us! They were so kind to us and I looked forward to classes everyday we were there. The kids showered us with small gifts the last day of school! The team leader, Stephen, is an amazing group leader! I was surprised on the value of the trip given all we did during our time there. There are many nearby temples to visit, plus the hotel was located in a lively shopping district so it was a lot of fun to be right in the action of the city! Excellent local restaurants all within walking distance & the food was spectacular. I also felt very comfortable walking around, day or night, solo, with no fear being alone. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a relatively easy journey out of the country. Anne Marie

My then 14-year-old son Josh and I loved being part of the GV trip to Quito in mid-February. From a mom's perspective, I saw my son with new eyes as he interacted with the construction "crew" (GV volunteers and local helpers). And I'll never forget watching him as he worked with the young children I was working with. He helped get them ready for their naps and then came back after his building work to take the children down for afternoon snacks, holding their hands, playing little games, using his ninth-grade Spanish with them. I had moments of pride -- and discovery! I never knew my son was so considerate and gentle and it took a GV trip to show me that. Josh adds that the GV trip has given him more confidence to deal with new people and new situations. Altogether we loved our time with a terrific group of people and would highly recommend doing a service trip -- as a family.

Such a wonderful program! The work projects were well organized and genuinely helpful. The team leader was well-informed, fun and a great resource. Such a great way to visit and learn about Cuba. We were in Ciego de Avila for most of the program and then went into Havana for the weekend to learn about the life of the local people, visit some museums and get a better sense of what it is like to be in the Capital of Cuba.

Travel to Cuba can be a little daunting, but not with Global Volunteers. They helped us every step of the way, answered all of our questions, and unlike many other organizations, had someone to meet us at the airport with the rest of the group. The lodging at the casa particular was wonderful and way beyond what any of us expected.

Ever wish upon a star and have that wish come true? My wish came true in 2007 when I discovered Global Volunteers. I have been on 9 Global Volunteer Teams in India, and in March 2019, on the inaugural team for the launch of the Nepal Program. Global’s programs are designed around a philosophy of service in which volunteers serve as well as learn under the direction of the local host community partners. The Nepal program is an enriching experience for all age groups where you will meet amazing men, women and children, be awed by magnificent vistas of the Himalayan mountains, and ultimately have a unique and enriching volunteer experience in the wonderful city of Kathmandu. While you immerse yourself in one of the many work projects, Global takes care of your everyday needs – great accommodation, wonderful meals at local restaurants, and transportation to work sites. My work site was with 2, 3 and 4 year old children where I received a daily dose of love and fun teaching and playing with the beautiful children as well as warm friendships with the very special teachers. Each day volunteers shared their experiences with team members so we all had a sense of the work being done at other sites by those in school classrooms, or working with marginalized women, or helping with repairs to orphanages affected by the 2015 earthquake. The Nepal program was an immersive cultural experience – a chance to make a difference by traveling with purpose and at the same time having free time to discover this amazing culture. I can’t wait to return once again as a Global Volunteer!

We have participated in 10 Global Volunteer programs since 2007. We are pleased with the superior level of support, management and overall organization. GV is committed to service programs that are meaningful and meet the needs of local partners. Safety is also a prime component of their mission. Our last service trip during March 2019 was in Kathmandu, Nepal - the first GV program in that area. The community partners included an elementary school, a small children's home, the Soroptomists, a local technical college, an orphanage and an NGO working with teacher education in Bhaktapur. We found the people to be warm and welcoming and the work personally fulfilling.

Our project was working with elementary school English teachers on teaching methodology. We enjoyed wonderful interactions and feel we made a small impact. We are still communicating with some of the teachers offering additional ideas and answering questions.

Finally, the interaction with other team members is always an extremely positive part of the experience. We find like-minded souls, many of whom become lifelong friends, including some we met in Nepal.

My daughter and I volunteered in Peru with kids in school which teaches 1400 hundred kids from PrK thru 12th grade. The school lacks resources in many areas yet the staff / teachers and kids remain resilient in their mission of education. Global volunteers in our opinion receive a genuine appreciation and affection for their contribution. We were treated professionally and well taken care of by the GV staff.
We visited Lima Cuzco and the citadel of Machu Pichu after our volunteer assignment ended
Peru is a great location for volunteers to visit a country which offers so much of fascinating history , culture and natural beauty. People are friendly and despite our language handicap we were helped whenever we needed it. Weather in general was very pleasant during our stay.

I was a member of one of the first teams to travel to ipalamwa, Tanzania to establish the Reaching Children’s Potential program. It was a great privilege to be a part of such an important volunteer experience. Experts in health, child development,
education and community developmenr with a commitment to eradicating childhood stunting were on a shared mission. While we worked in an isolated village, we always felt safe. Our lodging in the closest town was quite comfortable and close to restaurants where the team could review the day’s accomplishments.
Global Volunteers has established a very well organized international program overnight as well as in country management. The volunteer teams worked along side Tanzanian families and other community members in a joyful way.
This experience will be with me always.

I’ve been an on-going volunteer with Global Volunteers since 1998 and have participated on 16 programs in most all the locations where Global Volunteers serves. Most of my experience has been in teaching but I have volunteered with child care in Peru, Ecuador, and St. Lucia.

In Peru, at the Puericultoro Perez Aranibar in Miraflores, I helped the orphanage’s caregivers when the infants and toddlers were first getting up to start their day. I played with the children, read, sang, and generally kept them occupied until the caregivers completed the morning wake-up tasks. I also had the privilege of working with a pair of siblings who, because of their age and gender differences, didn’t get to spend much time together during the week. This assignment allowed the children to spend time together playing and strengthening their bond as sister and brother. I saw some behavioral challenges in the children diminish over the two-week period as they learned to interact positively.

One of the most important lessons I have learned through Global Volunteers is that my role is to contribute to the long-term continuity of the program. Quick changes aren’t usually evident in a one, two, or three-week engagement but, being a small part of the community as it realizes its goals is the beauty of the program.

I cannot say there aren’t challenges, interruptions, or last-minute changes during the course of a volunteer program – that’s just part of the equation when a group of outsiders come together and interact at the behest of the hosts. Flexibility is a necessary characteristic of a dynamic group. In my experiences, Global Volunteers’ team leaders, community hosts, organization leadership and staff continually strive to make the volunteer experience one that serves as a catalyst for change; to enrich the community and the individual. For me, it is the servant-learner aspect of these programs I find so rewarding.